A medical worker prepares to administer Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in northern Seoul on June 3, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — The inoculation rate for the new COVID-19 vaccines remains low due to widespread mistrust among the public.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that the inoculation rate for the new vaccine stood at around 1 percent as of Oct. 28. The rate for seniors over 60 was around 7 percent.
The growing fatigue towards receiving multiple rounds of vaccinations and the lack of forcible measures like vaccine passes are expected to further undermine the government’s vaccine plans.
The mistrust of the vaccine is attributed to the lack of efficacy, durability, and minuscule compensation programs.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that 2,452 people had died as of Oct. 25 due to suspected side effects of the vaccine. Among them, however, only eight people received compensation.
Nevertheless, the low vaccination rate continues to pose a major threat to seniors and other vulnerable groups.
According to a nationwide survey released last month, the natural development of antibodies after COVID-19 infections among those in their 70s and 80s stood at 43.1 percent and 32.2 percent, respectively, falling short of the national average of 57.6 percent.
If vaccinated, these age groups showed a 98 to 99 percent antibody generation rate.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
